Seven ways to make your home safer for the summer

Your deck is the centrepiece of outdoor summertime activities. If it’s been a long winter, or if it’s just been a while, we recommended that you have your deck and railing inspected for damage. You can also double-check that it meets height requirements and local safety guidelines and regulations. For securing the safety of your deck, you may consider a temporary solution such as installing close-mesh netting, or Perspex®, on the inside face of the deck columns to help keep children safe.

If you have a barbecue or firepit, let guests know where to find a fire extinguisher and post any maintenance guidelines close to the item. For barbecues:

• Place at a safe distance from your home, deck, as well as trees and bushes.
• Clean the barbecue between guest stays and provide grilling tools.
• For a gas barbecue, check the hose for leaks before allowing guests to access it. 
• Consider posting barbecue-specific house rules, such as:
  • Keep children at a safe distance. 
  • Don’t leave the barbecue unattended.
  • Only use the barbecue outdoors.

Pro tip: You can add fire extinguisher to your listing details within your dashboard. Read more about fire safety.

In the heat of summer, make sure that guests know how to operate your cooling system. If you don’t have central air conditioning or window units, consider providing small floor fans. You can add all these details into the property description of your listing or and your welcome guide.

Try to remove any overgrowth in your garden or landscaping to limit the chance of trips and falls. For guests with small children, this is especially important around decks, pool areas or roads. Along the way, check for insect nests, such as wasp or beehives.

Protect your water recreation areas with readily accessible ladders and safety flotation devices. Ensure that you’re storing chemical-balancing and pool-cleaning materials securely and at appropriate temperatures. And when it comes to pool fences, follow local rules and regulations.

See more pool safety tips

Make sure that water systems are being periodically checked, cleaned and disinfected. In addition, you can prevent water stagnation by running taps and showers at least once a week.

We recommend reviewing our enhanced cleaning and disinfection guidelines to help prevent the spread of infection. You can now update your listing to showcase your cleaning practices.

Gas appliances are common features in holiday rentals. They provide heating, hot water and fuel for cooking. However, gas appliances also present safety risks. These include carbon monoxide poisoning or gas leaks that can cause fire or explosion.  

Here are a few ways to improve your gas safety standards: 

• Install and regularly test carbon monoxide alarms.
• Ensure that appliances have been installed and regularly serviced by a qualified gas engineer.
• If you have the opportunity to switch from gas to another energy source, we recommend replacing gas with electric or solar energy to reduce risk. Please consult with a professional engineer before making changes.